Wike Accuses Cardinal Onaiyekan of 2023 Election Bias; Northern Youths Defend Cleric

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has directly challenged the impartiality of Archbishop Emeritus John Cardinal Onaiyekan, asserting that the cleric was not neutral during Nigeria's 2023 general elections. Wike dismissed recent criticisms leveled by Onaiyekan against the presidency, suggesting they were politically motivated rather than objective observations.

Onaiyekan, along with the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), had recently drawn President Bola Tinubu's attention to the severe hardship facing Nigerians due to government policies. He also noted the administration's apparent focus on securing a second term in 2027. This statement drew a sharp response from presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala, who claimed the Catholic Church was backing Peter Obi for the 2027 election and that Onaiyekan's views did not represent all Nigerian Christians.

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I am aware of the position of Cardinal Onaiyekan; all of us know, it’s not hidden, whom he supports; everybody knows that.

In contrast to Wike's accusations, the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) have voiced strong support for Cardinal Onaiyekan. The NYCN stated that the cleric was merely voicing the struggles of millions of Nigerians. The MBF, a socio-cultural organization representing minority ethnic groups in Nigeria's central region, also aligned itself with the CBCN in its current engagement with the Federal Government.

Wike, speaking at a media parley in Abuja, advocated for more balanced commentary from religious leaders. He argued that consistent, one-sided criticism without acknowledging any government successes would inevitably be perceived as political opposition. "It is not every time you say things are bad; nobody has heard you say government has done this well," Wike stated. He urged for commendation where due, suggesting that constructive criticism should also highlight areas for improvement, rather than being purely negative.

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It is not every time you say things are bad; nobody has heard you say government has done this well. Commend government when government has done well in certain areas; criticise government and say, look, you have done this well, but you should improve in these other areas.